Message Forum

Russell, thanks for your message! I'm glad we saw Westhampton's Junior High Building in all its glory when we were in Richmond, and I am NOT there to see "the empty space" now ! I'm not sure if we will be coming back to Richmond before the Reunion, because the expense of flying there from here is pretty outrageous and Joel always seems to find some "good deals" when we DO plan those every-5-year visits! (-now only 2-1/2 years away!).

For now, I have "put off"my 2nd Cataract Surgery for a while, because Joel is due for Back Surgery in 3 weeks, with a 6-week Recuperation Period! Personally, I can only handle one crisis at a time!

It's SO MUCH SIMPLER to muse on the good times in our youth than to deal with current health issues! Maybe after 7 years of "putting this off," Joel will be able to enjoy the next Reunion better than EVER!

Dickie, it's a shame I live so far away from all my classmates! I have a HUGE collection of records from about 1949 to 1988 and a bunch of Tapes & CD's since 1989 to present. Whenever I need "A trip down Memory Lane" I take them out & play them on my 3-speed record player! My Sister took my Daughter, Granddaughter, and her Boyfriend to see "Carousel" in New York 2 years ago, and I bought tickets to treat them to "Xanadu" a few weeks ago at a new "Broadway Theatre" in Arizona. It is SO MUCH FUN to watch their faces light up, when they see the shows and hear the music we enjoyed years ago!

How did your Daughter enjoy the show?

10/24/19 05:32 PM

#822

https://www.richmond.com/eedition/richmond/page-a/page_9ee7ef6c-7e0c-56bb-932c-5d533921110a.html

Below is a Letter to the Editor written by our own Jimmy Antonick. Following the letter is a link to an article written by Dr. Bill Lohmann about Bruce Heilman a World War II veteran and former President of the University of Richmond. Both are good reads.

Below is the link to the article about Dr. Bruce Heilman written by Bill Lohmann.

10/25/19 12:27 PM

#823

Melvin Katz

Mike: Thank you for posting Jimmy's letter to the editor. What a very nice tribute Jimmy has written. It reminded me that when I was a Board of Directors Member at Maymont, The Gov.'s wife, Jeannie, was a member of a committee I chaired. She requested that one of our Committee meetings could be held in the dinning room of The Governors Mansion,Gov. Jerry Baliles was Governor at the time. Looking out the dinning room window of The Governor's Mansion, I could see my fathers Shoe Repair Shop which was on 9th Street. A great memory that I will always hold dear.

10/28/19 10:43 PM

#824

Jimmy- Great letter! I enjoyed reading about two forward-looking men with open minds about International Trade. Sometimes, I think I walked backward in time when we moved to Arizona 30 years ago. International Relations South of the Border and across the Ocean are pretty strained now, and we haven't had an open-minded Governor since Rose Mofford. I wish Arizona & the U. S. Government could take a cue from Virginia! This State has a lot to learn, and so do the folks in Washington, D.C. I don't know a lot of people where I live who encourage International Trade, but I have always sought international handmade items for gifts for my family & friends. I wish I had known somebody like you when I started my Art Co-op here with young Artists from Mexico! Their paintings & drawings were beautiful, but Arizonians frowned on the fact that they later moved back to Mexico, and nobody wanted to buy the Artwork but Tourists! Such foolish Arizonians! I haven't seen any Artwork like theirs since then. They were unique!

10/31/19 10:23 PM

#825

https://www.richmond.com/sports/high-school/plus/thomas-jefferson-beats-a-class-stalwart-and-starts-earning-some/article_09751832-fb9b-11e9-b9c7-c767bb69fbcd.html

Below is a link to a nice story about Tee Jay Vikings Football. They are 7 and 1 and have an excellent chance of winning the Class 2 High School division.

11/04/19 12:03 AM

#826

Hi, Russell! I (we) can't be there, but you forgot to put the date in November! Was it the 2nd? 9th? 16th? 23rd? or 30th? Sorry I can't join you, but hope you all have fun!

11/15/19 12:06 AM

#827

Congratulations! It looks like quite a few alumni of Tee Jay have made a name for themselves in "The Big Wide World!" I have really enjoyed reading about Russell, Dickie Laster, Bobby Bayliss, and others who have "made their mark" on their communities! I keep bragging about the students I knew at Tee Jay! People here think that is amazing! There are others I have followed through the years on this website and also whenever we visit Richmond! I hope we hear more about them in the future!

11/24/19 08:07 PM

#828

Russell Flammia

Hi folks,

An alumni contacted me about buying one of the benches I used to sell to various alumni. My friend who made them no longer does so. Just wondering if anyone is downsizing and would like to sell theirs. If so send me an email at rflammia@rvaschools.net and let me know the price. Thanks, Russell

12/26/19 03:36 PM

#829

Katheleene Paul Bishop

Katheleene passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019.

Kathy was a 1964 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School.

Published in Bennett Funeral Home-Chesterfield Chapel on Dec. 26, 2019

12/27/19 08:49 PM

#830

Katheleen Paul Bishop

BISHOP, Katheleene Paul, 73, of Richmond, passed away at home after a short illness December 22, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Althea Paul; and sister, Laverne P. Stott. She is survived by her son, James Paul Bishop; and his father, Jim Bishop; nephew, Ashley L. Stott; and numerous other loving extended family members. Kathy was a 1964 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. She retired in real estate from Century 21 Old Richmond Realty and Keller Williams Richmond West. She was an active and devoted member of Central United Methodist Church. The family would like to give special thanks to her loving friends for the cards and support and to Heartland Hospice for the care given through her illness. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Central Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 3215 Cutshaw Ave. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 30, at Central United Methodist Church, with interment to follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 1211 Porter Street, Richmond, Va. 23224 or to the American Cancer Society.

12/29/19 04:38 PM

#831

I hope everyone is having a nice holiday.

Going back to a message I wrote. Drucilla Waring was our teacher for the first half of 6th grade. I do not know about the rest of the year. I found an old report card when I was going through things in my brother's attic. It was for sixth A I hope that this info triggers some memories. I have to say, though, that I don't remember much about the 6th grade.

Belle

If we are entering the "rainy" season it's time to go to Padows.

12/29/19 06:34 PM

#832

Wow, Belle! Isn't it funny how things show up from many years ago, when you have been thinking about them for so long? I was looking through some "On-Line Class Folders" today and found an old photo I have wondered about for awhile and couldn't find it: Four Generations! - My Mom at age 90, Me at age 54, My Daughter- around 30, and my Granddaughter - around 9 months! It's probably the ONLY 4-generation photo in our family! WHAT a treasure! I'm going to frame it!

My Granddaughter is leaving Phoenix on the Midnight plane tonight, with a group of Students from Arizona State University. They are going to Poland, where my Mother's Ancestors lived. The town they came from in the late 1800's to early 1900's is no longer there; it was on the Border of Austria, and it no longer exists! It was attacked by the Cossacks during the Progroms, and later by the Naziis in Germany, but her relatives were smart, and they left long before World War I and II. There is nothing there now but a factory! My older 2 Sisters searched for it when they were spending their Junior Year of College Abroad in Vienna, and that was the report they gave us. It is now part of Ukraine! So our family history is in Baltimore Hebrew Cemetary, Temple Beth-El Cemetary, and the house across from the Old Synagogue on 19th Street in Richmond!

Before she left, I showed her our Family Tree -Names of People I never met! All of them died before I was born, or before I was age 3! They were ALL immigrants to the United States, except for one who was American-born, and his last name came to be from "a twist of fate!". The Clerk at Ellis Island could not spell his Dad's last name, so he reversed it to the first name!!! -Wolf. My Dad added the "e," because he said it looked like "A Wolf without a tail!". And that is how my name ended up being "Marilyn Wolfe!". I was given my first name after my "Great-Grandma Molly!" My oldest Sister has discovered a new Relative who was related to my Grandma Annie Brooks Wolf's side of the family! She lives in Chicago, less than 15 minutes from the house where my husband Joel grew up, and HER ancestors came from Lithuania!

I just LOVE digging up old memories! That makes the holidays fun! I showed my Granddaughter photos of "Grandma Annie" (my Dad's Mom in Richmond) and my Grandma Clara (my Mom's Mom in Baltimore) and my Granddaughter was comparing the photos to her Mom (my older daughter, Rachael), to see if there was any resemblance! My younger Daughter Amy looks -A LOT like her Great Grandma Annie Brooks Wolf, but my older daughter Rachael says: "I'm a Ruben!" LOL!

12/29/19 06:49 PM

#833

PS-Belle: I would LOVE to go to Padow's with you! The ONLY Deli we have in Yuma is German-style, and they have NO Cole Slaw to serve with the Corned Beef Sandwiches!

When I asked: "WHY NOT?" the Owner said: "We don't want to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken!"

(Can you imagine THAT????)

Yuma is "A Trip!"

Our Synagogue here has about 15-20-30 members (ALL Senior Citizens), and no kids! After living in Richmond with 3 synagogues and a BIG Jewish Community Center, that is pretty scary! Most of the members left and moved to California! But some of the Founders are still here, because they or their parents could not cross the bridge to California, unless their parents had a lot of money or a job waiting for them in California! (That's the legend passed on by the former Jewish owner of the local Bakery-- the ONLY place in town where you can find homemade Challah!)

Culture Shock!

02/04/20 03:07 PM

#834

Dear Marilyn,

Maybe your deli could service hot roasted potatos. German in style. I at lots of poptatoes while I lived in Munich some years ago. Always you had a beer with it. (The wine was too expensive.) I hope they have cheesecake. Food in Richmond has changed a lot. Many, many new restaurants downtown. All are a tad expensive. But how would I know; I'm still at Julians Restaurant across from Broad Street Station. However, they are good.

Enough on food. Talk to you soon.

02/04/20 06:46 PM

#835

Hi, Belle! "This Old Geezer" can't drink Wine or Beer, eat Cheesecake, or handle spicy food like German Potato Salad! (Digestive issues of my Senior Years!). But I DO remember "Julian's Restaurant" on Broad Street! In fact, when we were in Richmond for my Cousin's 80th Birthday, my family filled up the long, long table by the wall there! Maybe we will do it again in 2-3 years! That place makes a scrumptious meal !

PS - You were in Munich???

02/04/20 09:56 PM

#836

Marilyn,

The potato salad I ate was not spicy, a bit mundane. And yes I lived in Munich, Germany for 4 months. I was auditioning for the agents for the many opera houses in Germany. Munich is a beautiful city with weather much like Richmond. Leaves turning yellow and red, men with large carts sweep them up. I enjoy the many museums. October fest was fun with the parade and beer wagons, waitresses holding 5 steins in each hand. I have a lot of good memories.

Belle

02/05/20 02:16 AM

#837

Belle, I always thought German Potato Salad had Bacon in it! That's off my diet too! No greasy foods!

There are people online who are requesting a Deli down here - (there are several chain store Deli's

now), so if I wait for another 25 years, maybe one will set up shop here one day! But by that time,

I might not have any teeth to chew my sandwich!

A hunk of Corned Beef at the Grocery Store now costs $20 ! That's more than I would pay for 2 meals

at Padow's, and most of the store-bought Corned Beef yields more Fat than Meat!

Interesting description of your visit to Munich! Germany may be famous for its Writers, Composers, and

Musicians,, but the German Artists I remember learning about were those in the mid-20th Century

-World War II years, who were part of the Bauhaus Movement, plus Hieronymous Bosch many

centuries earlier, and lots of Graphics & Gothic Church Architecture! I hope you got to see some of their work,

as well as maybe attending at least one Classical Music Concert or Opera, while you were there! I remember

learning that they also have some famous statues there called " Dying Warriors," which came from a temple in

Greece!

02/05/20 07:11 PM

#838

Marilyn, You could use turkey bacon, or you could cook the bacon in the oven - doesn't shrink up and the grease can drain off.

Yes, I attended the opera every night that I couild. Wonderful productions and fun to check out the clothes at intermission - in Munich, unlike Frankfurt, people dress up, even tuxedos. The new mueum as opposed to the :alte tek" (sp) was a convenient stop. The first time I went there I felt like I saw every painting that I seen in art Appreciation class. I thought how in the world can they have so many well known ones. It was fun.

02/05/20 11:37 PM

#839

Belle, I was recently introduced to Turkey Bacon. It's interesting! I don't eat Ham, so it is a good alternative!

If you saw the movie "Woman in Gold," you would learn just how Art Museums in Germany ended up with so many famous Artworks. There is a story about it! Also, there was a movie recently starring George Clooney, on the same theme! I think it was called "Monuments Men!"

"Alte" is also used in Yiddish to mean "Old" ( person, building, etc.). I did not know "Tek" means "Museum!"

02/06/20 09:25 PM

#840

Marilyn,

I don/t think tek is correct. Haus der Kunst. That is as close as I can get at the moment. House of Art,

Art House - Museum. I never used tye word, only read it.

Hope all is okay there. It has turned cold and windy here. Heavy rain this evening.

Belle

02/07/20 01:18 PM

#841

It's cool here, too! I'm indoors, so it doesn't bother me! But the Marines have been in training all week with

their Air Force, so it's pretty noisy out there. We have an Air Show every Spring before the Winter Visitors go

home. They will be flying all over town for the next month, while I study for my Midterms & Exams! My new

course re. "International Textiles & Fashion" has a lot of words I need to memorize!

02/08/20 12:38 PM

#842

William Anderson

Miss Marilyn-As a Marine I am compelled to advise you that the Marines do not have an "air force". They have the Marine Air Wing. We all- Infantry, Artillery, Air Wing, etc.- are first and foremost Riflemen and we train together for almost a year before heading out for spcific training in our respective MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).

Semper Fidelis,

Bill

02/08/20 08:08 PM

#843

Hi, Bill! I live 5 minutes from MCAS - Marine Corps Air Station. The planes have been flying over my house all week long, day and night up to about midnight from about 7 a.m. It always feels like they will crash through my bedroom roof, so sometimes, I have to stuff my ears with cotton or get out of the house altogether! I'm pretty sure that the houses on my street are inhabited by current or retired military! Residents of every home on our 2 streets here in my condo development put their flag out on Memorial Day & Veterans Day, and it was the same in my former home in Yuma, where I was surrounded by Retired Military & a few " Winter Visitors "(who formerly trained here).There are parades held here on Veterans Day every year, and 9/10 of those who are in the Old Car parade every March are Vets, too!

If there was no MCAS, this town would probably be "Little Mexico!". As it is, it is 90% Mexican American & 10% American Farmers or Store Owners/ Managers/ plus the Military, There are also 2 Native American Reservations- one 15 minutes South of my house & another one 15 minutes across the Colorado River! Sorry about the terminology! I don't always get the military terms right, but I do know that Yuma & San Diego both have HUGE training programs (San Diego has the Navy), and there are also a lot of people here at our Army Proving Ground, plus those who train with the National Guard! I live 15 minutes from one border of Mexico plus California, and 30-45 minutes from the other Border to Mexico. It's usually very peaceful here, so most stories you have heard about the Border are distorted! People go back and forth here all the time, and there is no harm done! There are shops, restaurants, and parties held on "the other side," and a lot of peaceful exchange!

In addition, there are many people here, working for the local Public Safety Department, the County Sheriff's Office, and the Border Patrol. I never knew so many Military Families in my Life! But since 2 of my Uncles & 2 of my Aunts Served in the Army & WAAC during World War II, I am okay with that! Plus my Cousin Franklin Wolf's Daughter, Rebecca, has been in charge of a U.S. Navy Ship in Bahrain for the past few years, and she will be returning to work in D.C. shortly. Her Dad (my Cousin) served in the Army Reserves.

02/09/20 06:12 PM

#844

William Anderson

Thanks Marilyn. Glad we got the terminology right. Just remember that sound from the planes you hear is t he sound of Freedom.

02/11/20 03:35 AM

#845